This coffee was processed by Ethiopian exporter Ephtah Speciality Coffee at its Lalesa washing station, where local farmers cultivate coffee at an impressive 2,150–2,200 MASL. After acquiring the station in 2023, Ephtah has been able to build closer relationships with producers while investing in long-term community projects. Processed using the red honey method, this coffee offers a juicy, fruit-forward cup with notes of peach, strawberry and tropical fruits.
Ephtah purchased Lalesa washing station in July 2023 before constructing a warehouse and more than 400 raised drying beds, creating the largest drying site in the Gedeb region. Owning the washing station gives Ephtah greater control over every stage of processing, allowing them to produce consistently high-quality coffees while experimenting with a wider range of processing methods.
Ephtah's goal is to build sustainable, collaborative supply chains centred on quality, long-term relationships and meaningful support for producer communities. At Lalesa, farmers receive an initial payment as soon as they deliver their coffee cherries, providing immediate income during the harvest season.
Alongside coffee production, Ephtah invests in local social initiatives, including a daycare centre for farmers' children. The centre gives young children a strong start before they begin school while allowing parents—particularly mothers—to focus on harvesting coffee and earning income during the busiest months of the year.
Some women producers also participate in Ephtah's Ama Commitment programme ("Ama" meaning "The Mothers' Commitment"). The initiative recognises and supports the role of women in coffee production through pre-financing, agronomic training and post-harvest processing training to help improve coffee quality.
Only carefully selected ripe cherries are used for this lot. After harvesting, the cherries spend around 24 hours resting on raised beds before being pulped, leaving much of the sticky fruit (mucilage) attached to the beans. They are then dried slowly in the shade for around 20 days. This red honey process contributes to the coffee's vibrant fruit character while maintaining excellent sweetness and clarity.
This coffee was harvested between November 2025 and January 2026 before arriving in the UK in July 2026. We purchased it through Falcon Coffee, who have worked directly with Ephtah. It is the first coffee we have sourced from Ephtah, and we hope it marks the beginning of a long-term purchasing relationship.
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